Heart checks not foolproof

Heart checks not foolproof

Bolton’s Darren Pratley offers up a prayer for his friend Fabrice Muamba

Their quick work has given Muamba the best possible chance of making a recovery. It will have significantly helped

Dr Graham Stuart

Medical experts said Premier League players get “the best possible heart checks” and that Muamba was “just unlucky”.

And they reckon the player, described by ex-Birmingham manager Steve Bruce as one of the fittest players he has ever worked with, could have developed the heart problem.

Dr Jonathan Hill, a consultant cardiologist at King’s College Hospital London, said: “About two days are spent testing the heart when a Premier League footballer has a full medical but events can happen that can’t be picked up at screening.”

Meanwhile, an FA-accredited cardiologist has praised the medical team that first treated Muamba.

Dr Graham Stuart said: “Their quick work has given Muamba the best possible chance of making a recovery. It will have significantly helped.”